Geography IA requirements to achieve the highest grade possible

Criterion A: Fieldwork question and geographical context

The link between the fieldwork question and the relevant syllabus topic, the syllabus or

geographical theory is described. The link made to geographical theory allows for the possible

formulation of hypotheses and predictions.

The fieldwork question is geographical and focused, clearly identifying a precise location

allowing for primary data collection within the limits of the internal assessment.

One or more locational maps are presented and follow mapping conventions, providing clear

information and details of the fieldwork location.

Criterion B: Methods of investigation

The method(s) used for information and data collection are described, explaining clearly and

accurately how the combination of data collected is relevant to the theory, question formulated

or the hypotheses for the internal assessment. They may describe statistical tests if

appropriate.

The method(s), data collection instruments/technologies and sampling/surveying techniques

are used correctly, resulting in reliable and good quality primary data supporting a relevant

quantitative and/or qualitative analysis.

Criterion C: Quality and treatment of information collected

The information and data collected is all directly relevant to the question formulated or the

hypotheses, and is sufficient in quantity and quality to allow for analysis or answering of the

question formulated.

The most appropriate techniques have been used effectively for the presentation of information

and data collected.

The graphs, tables, diagrams or other illustrations follow conventions (labelling, titles, and so

on).

Criterion D: Written Analysis

In the written analysis, students must demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the
fieldwork investigation by interpreting and explaining the information they have collected in relation
to the fieldwork question. This includes recognizing any trends and spatial patterns found in the
information collected. Where appropriate, an attempt should be made to identify and explain any
anomalies.

This criterion assesses the quality of the analysis of the results, referring to:

• links to the question and hypotheses formulated

• geographic context (that is, geographical theory, the syllabus, or the relevant syllabus topic)

• information collected

• statistics used (descriptive techniques—that is, graphs, charts, histograms and so on; as well as

statistical techniques—that is, correlations, regression and so on)

• illustrative material

The written analysis includes descriptive and statistical techniques (with confidence levels if

appropriate) that are appropriate to the data and the question formulated.

The trends, patterns and statistics found, including outliers and anomalies if present, are

explained and linked to the question formulated, hypotheses, geographical theory, the

fieldwork location and methods used.

The written analysis allows for answering the question formulated, with no or only minor gaps

in the supporting evidence.

Criterion E: Conclusion